5 Diet Issues That Can Increase The Odds Of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are unpleasant, painful, and often extremely expensive. The good news, however, is that there are many ways to prevent kidney stones. Though some individuals are simply naturally predisposed to stones, others get them as a consequence of their diet and their habits. Here are a few diet issues that can potentially cause kidney stones.

1. Not Drinking Enough Water

Water is a very important part of a diet, especially when trying to avoid kidney stones. In the past, it's been suggested that each individual should drink approximately eight glasses of water today. Today, the prevailing medical opinion is that you should make sure to drink whenever thirsty, and you should attempt to drink water more than other options such as soda and juice.

2. Taking Calcium Supplements

A diet high in calcium is important for strong bones. However, calcium supplements can actually have too much calcium in them. This calcium can form stones quite easily. If you aren't directed by your doctor to take calcium supplements, you may not want to take them. Instead, you can focus on foods that are higher in calcium, such as milk.

3. Eating Too Much Meat

High protein foods, such as meat, can cause certain types of kidney stones. Eating meat for only one meal a day can drastically cut down on many health issues. Meat protein, also known as animal protein, is generally more likely to cause kidney stones than other types of protein. Because of this, you can also substitute other types of high-protein food, such as beans.

4. Having a High Sodium Diet

A high sodium diet can have a significant impact on your health, from blood pressure to kidney stones. Sodium can show up in many different products, including soft drinks, so you may need to check nutritional facts. This can sometimes be as simple as checking for low sodium options when purchasing ingredients at the grocery store.

5. Eating Oxalate-Rich Foods

It's believed that oxalate-rich foods will increase the production of calcium-oxalate stones, in combination with calcium. If you are predisposed towards this type of stone, you should avoid these foods. Oxalate foods tend to be fairly specific, so you may need a list. They include beets, chocolate, and sweet potatoes. 

If you keep having recurring kidney stones, you may want to inquire with your doctor about kidney stone treatment. There are some medications that can reduce the incidence of kidney stone, though you still need to work on your habits.